Inducted 1997

Although his first love was performing gospel music, Bill Gaither studied to become a schoolteacher in his native Indiana. The pull of music was strong, however, and Gaither soon began to write gospel songs. 

"He Touched Me", "Because He Lives", and "The King Is Coming" were among Gaither's early compositions recorded by established acts such as the Speer Family. By the mid-1960s, Gaither, his wife Gloria, and his brother Danny, were traveling as the Bill Gaither Trio. The ensuing years yielded unparalleled success-including gospel music's first certified gold album, Alleluia, a musical based on Gaither's songs. 

In 1980, Bill formed the New Gaither Vocal Band and, a decade later, also emerged as producer of the popular Homecoming video series.